Temperatures Becoming Unseasonably Warm throughout the Week of Christmas

DEC. 19, 2025

Friday started off rather chilly thanks to Thursday’s cold front. Lows Friday morning included the upper 20s to low 30s across the Hill Country, the mid and upper 30s across Central Texas, and low and mid-40s across the coastal plains. LCRA’s lowest gauged temperature was 26 degrees, set at various locations across the Hill Country. In Austin, Camp Mabry’s minimum temperature was 40 degrees, while Austin Bergstrom International Airport recorded a low of 36.

Despite the cold start early Friday, temperatures are expected to rebound nicely Friday afternoon as south and southwesterly breezes return to the region. Occasional gusts to near 20 mph are forecast Friday afternoon through Friday evening. Gusts to near 30 mph are forecast Saturday, A clear sky will be in place Friday afternoon and Friday night.

  • High temperatures Friday are forecast to be near 68-70 degrees
  • Lows temperatures early Saturday are predicted to generally be in the upper 40s

Friday’s chilly temperatures look to be the last cool readings our region will likely see for a while. A recent change in the trajectory of the jet stream will limit the intrusion of cold Canadian air into Texas over the next couple of weeks. Very mild air originating off the Pacific and the western US is expected to take its place. A strengthening ridge of high pressure over Texas next week will help to enhance the mild and dry weather pattern. A sunny to mostly sunny sky is forecast this weekend and all next week.

  • High temperatures Saturday are predicted to be near 78-80 degrees
  • Highs are forecast to cool 2-3 degrees Sunday behind a weak cold front
  • Low temperatures Sunday morning are forecast to be near 48-52 degrees
  • Lows Monday morning will range from the upper 40s across the Hill Country, to the mid and upper 50s at most other locations

Near-record warm temperatures are forecast across the region next week as the ridge sets up over Texas. Expect some late night and early morning clouds, followed by sunny conditions in the afternoon.

  • High temperatures Monday through Friday are forecast to generally be near 78-80 degrees
  • Low temperatures Tuesday through Saturday mornings will generally be in the upper 50s to low 60s
  • The outlook for Christmas Day specifically calls for a mostly sunny sky with a high temperature near 78-80 degrees

The outlook for next weekend and the week of December 29th shows little significant change. A weak cold front is predicted to move across the area next Saturday, bringing slightly cooler air. High temperatures are forecast to cool to the low 70s, with lows in the low and mid-50s. A small chance for rain is forecast to develop the week of December 29th.

Winter Solstice Happening Sunday

The Winter Solstice will occur Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 9:03 am CST, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year as the Northern Hemisphere tilts furthest from the Sun. On the day of the solstice, the sun will reach its southernmost point, appearing lowest in the sky and mark the start of astronomical winter.

Winter is the shortest of the four seasons with 89 days. Summer is the longest with 94 days.

NOAA’s Winter Update

NOAA released its monthly climate update Thursday. The outlook for January through March shows temperatures leaning warmer than normal and precipitation leaning below normal for most of Texas. NOAA forecasters indicated Texas weather will be heavily influenced by a weak La Niña over the next three months. The Niña is forecast to weaken and dissipate sometime between late winter and early spring.

jfm

Have a great weekend!

Bob